Filtering deep fryer for household use

ABSTRACT

Fryer for frying food having a removable oil containing cartridge. The fryer includes a fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a vessel adapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and the removable oil containing cartridge, at least one of the fry basket and the vessel being adapted to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being characterized by movement of the oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket and the second position being characterized by movement of the oil from the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge, and at least one of a biasing mechanism being arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge, the removable oil containing cartridge having a bellows shape, and the removable oil containing cartridge being removably connected to the vessel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/646,888, filed Oct. 6, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,401, which is aNational Stage Application of International Application No.PCT/FR99/00978, filed Apr. 26, 1999. The disclosures of the above listedapplications are expressly incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. Further, the present application claims priority of FrenchApplication No. 98/05229, filed Apr. 27, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a household fryer, of thetype which includes a bowl which is adapted to receive an oil reserve upto a maximum filling level, a fry basket adapted to receive the food tobe fried, a filtering vessel adapted to receive the fry basket and toslide inside the bowl along a downward course and between a highposition for which the bottom of the vessel is higher than the maximumfilling level of the bowl, and a low position for which at least themajor portion of the basket, which is received in the vessel, is lowerthan the filling level. The filtering vessel can also move along anupward course. Additionally, the filtering vessel has a bottom wall inwhich at least a portion of the bottom wall forms a filter.

2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

A fryer of this type is disclosed, for example, in FR-A-2 479 677. Inthe patent, a removable waste filter 34 is inserted between a pan 32 anda basket 12, which basket can be displaced between its high position andits low position in the pan, and inversely, without any concurrentdisplacement of the waste filter. If the waste filter can be removedfrom the pan so as to eliminate of the waste retained therein, it is byimplementing a specific manual step. In the absence of thisimplementation, the waste filter, along with the waste which itcontains, remains immersed in the frying oil from one frying operationto the next. Moreover, when this operation is implemented, the wastefilter is lifted directly from its immersed position in the oil towardthe outside of the pan, inevitably with oil drippings on the cookingsurface and risks of burning if the oil is hot. This unpractical systemcan urge the user not to extract the waste filter after each fryingoperation, in which case food debris build up in the waste filter,resulting in a further carbonization of these debris each time and anaccelerated degradation of the oil.

Also contributing to this degradation is the fact that the free surfaceof the oil is almost entirely exposed to the ambient air.

Furthermore, a fryer has been proposed in FR-A-2 086 562, in whichelastic means formed by a spring (9) takes support on the bottom of afirst container, or pan (4), and on the bottom of a blind cylindricalboss (10) provided in the bottom of a second container, or fry basket(6), which spring biases the basket away from the bottom of the pan. Thefryer also includes a means for temporary locking of the fry basket inlow position.

This fryer is designed to maintain the basket in low position as long asthe cooking of the food has not reached a certain stage. To this end, itis by means of an originally raw piece 18 of the food involved, fixed onskewers 19 attached to the cover, that the spring 9 is compressed whenthe cover is closed, which enables the basket to move and be maintainedin a low position. When the piece of food inserted breaks or becomes toosoft under the cooking effect, to keep the spring compressed, the latterexpands and the basket rises. At this point, the food is supposed to beproperly cooked.

This fryer comprises a bottom, or plate 22, on which the fry basketrests. If it is understood that this plate is lowered when the basket islowered against the force of the spring, the patent is silent withrespect to the means that enable the plate to rise with the basket:indeed, it is clearly indicated in the description of this patent thatthe spring does not push on the plate but on the basket (the platenecessarily having, to this end, a central cutout for the passage of thespring). Therefore, when the basket rises, there is no reason for theplate to follow along. In addition, the cylinder 11, that is affixed tothe cover and into which penetrates the boss 10 of the bottom of thebasket in high position thereof, prevents the opening of the fryer bypivoting of the lid about the hinge 14 when the fry basket is in thishigh position. This opening is possible only when the boss 11 is notengaged with the cylinder 10, i.e., in the low position of the basket,in other words, with the food immersed in the oil. The draining of thecooked food, subsequent to the automatic lifting of the basket, is doneto no purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art byproposing a fryer that is simple and safe. The fryer provides forfiltering of oil and includes an elastic mechanism which supports thebottom of the filtering vessel instead of the fry basket.

Thus, the invention provides for filtering the oil each time thefiltering vessel/fry basket assembly rises. Moreover, this isaccomplished without any member being an obstacle to the opening of thefryer when the fry basket is in a high position, i.e., in a positionwhich allows it to drain.

In operation, the elastic mechanism biases the filtering vessel upwardand/or away from the bottom of the bowl. In at least one embodiment,this biasing mechanism can be constituted by a spring.

The invention therefore provides for a fryer for frying food comprisinga fry basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a vessel adaptedto receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and aquantity of oil, at least one of the fry basket and the vessel beingadapted to move between a first position above the oil and a secondposition which is at least partially within the oil, a filter adapted tobe disposed inside the bowl, a biasing mechanism adapted to be disposedwithin the bowl, and a retaining mechanism for retaining one of the frybasket and the vessel in the second position.

The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. The filter may be disposedbetween a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of the filtering vessel.The filter may be disposed between the fry basket and a bottom insidesurface of the bowl. The retaining mechanism may be adapted totemporarily lock the vessel in the second position. The biasingmechanism may engage a bottom of the vessel and a bottom of the bowl.The fryer may be adapted for household use and the bowl may be adaptedto receive an oil reserve up to a maximum filling level. Each of the frybasket and the filtering vessel may be adapted to slide within the bowl.The biasing mechanism may bias one of, the filter, the fry basket, andthe filtering vessel away from a bottom of the bowl. The first positionmay comprise a bottom of the vessel being disposed above a maximumfilling level of the bowl and the second position may comprise thebottom of the vessel being disposed below the maximum filing level ofthe bowl. A bottom wall of the vessel may comprise the filter. Thebiasing mechanism may bias each of the filter, the vessel, and the frybasket away from a bottom of the bowl such that the filter, the vessel,and the fry basket are supported above the oil in the first position.

The biasing mechanism may comprise a spring. The vessel may comprise abottom having at least one oil draining opening. The filter may comprisea fine-mesh netting arranged adjacent the oil draining opening. Thefilter may comprise a fine-mesh netting arranged adjacent at least oneoil draining opening disposed in a bottom of the vessel. The at leastone opening may be centrally disposed in the bottom of the vessel andwherein the fine-mesh netting comprises an area which is greater than anarea of the at least one oil draining opening. A solid area of thebottom of the vessel may be at least 5-7 times greater than an area ofthe at least one oil draining opening. A fine-mesh area of the filtermay be at least 5-7 times greater than an area of the at least one oildraining opening. The fryer may further comprise a cover. The cover maycomprise the retaining mechanism. The cover may be adapted to bedisposed within the bowl. The cover may be adapted to rest against thevessel and to slide within the bowl. The retaining mechanism may beadapted to lock the vessel in the second position after the cover isslid to a predetermined depth in the bowl.

The fryer may further comprise a removable oil cartridge. The removablecartridge may comprise a liner which is adapted to hold the quantity ofoil. The removable cartridge may be adapted to receive the biasingmechanism and the quantity of oil. The fryer may further comprise asealing mechanism adapted to be disposed between the vessel and thebowl. The sealing mechanism may comprise an o-ring. One of the vesseland the bowl may comprise a shoulder which is adapted to engage thesealing mechanism. The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. Thevessel may be adapted to be connected to an oil cartridge. The vesselmay be connected to the oil cartridge via a threaded connection. The oilcartridge may comprise the biasing mechanism, a liner, and the quantityof oil.

The fryer may further comprise a pivoting lever connected to each of thefry basket and the bowl. The fryer may further comprise a cover.

The invention also provides for a fryer for frying food comprising a frybasket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a filtering vesselhaving at least one oil draining opening, the filtering basket beingadapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive each of thefry basket, the filtering vessel and a quantity of oil, each of the frybasket and the vessel being adapted to move between a first positionabove the oil and a second position which is at least partially withinthe oil, a filter disposed inside the bowl, a biasing mechanism disposedwithin the bowl, a retaining mechanism for retaining one of the frybasket and the filtering vessel in the second position, a sealingmechanism disposed between the filtering vessel and the bowl, and acover.

The invention further provides for a fryer for flying food comprising afly basket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a filtering vesselhaving at least one oil draining opening, the filtering basket beingadapted to receive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive each of thefry basket, the filtering vessel and a quantity of oil, each of the frybasket and the vessel being adapted to move between a first positionabove the oil and a second position which is at least partially withinthe oil, a biasing mechanism disposed within the bowl, a filter disposedbetween the fry basket and the biasing mechanism, a retaining mechanismfor retaining one of the fry basket and the filtering vessel in thesecond position, a sealing mechanism disposed between the filteringvessel and the bowl, and a cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the filtering vessel comprisesa solid annular zone whose inner periphery edges a cutout provided, orin coincidence with a fine-mesh netting, the area of the solid annularzone being greater than that of the cutout, preferably 5-7 timesgreater.

To load the basket, the filtering vessel is in high position, under theeffect of the thrust of the elastic mechanism that bias the filteringvessel upwardly. Once the basket has been loaded and the oil heated atthe desired temperature, the user lowers the “filtering vessel/loadedbasket” assembly by overcoming the force of the elastic mechanism untilthe time when the mechanism for temporarily locking the filtering vesselin low position are activated. Once cooking is completed, the lockingmechanism is deactivated and, under the effect of the thrust of theelastic mechanism, the filtering vessel and the fry basket return tohigh position. After the fried food is drained, the basket can beextracted from the filtering vessel to unload the food.

During the rise of the filtering vessel, the oil present in the vesselis drawn into the space of increasing volume located beneath the vessel,which space constitutes the area for storing the oil reserve between twofrying operations. The oil in which the basket was immersed reaches thisstorage area by passing through the portion forming the filter of thefiltering vessel. It is therefore understood that the food debris thatescaped from the basket do not pass into the oil storage area, but areretained in the area forming the filter of the filtering vessel, andthat the filtering vessel, which has been drained, can easily beextracted from its high position so as to remove the waste therefrom.

Furthermore, between two frying operations, the solid zone of the bottomof the filtering vessel covers a major part of the surface of the oilreserve, the air space inserted between them being very thin if one iscareful to complete the reserve periodically to maintain itsubstantially at a maximum level. This cover reduces the oil reserveoxidation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutout of the filteringvessel is provided with a connecting mechanism adapted to engage with amatching connecting mechanism provided on an oil cartridge constitutedof an enclosure that is capable of going from an expanded configurationto an accordion compressed configuration, and the elastic mechanism thatbias the fry basket away from the bottom of the bowl is constituted by aspring included in the enclosure.

Advantageously, the matching connecting mechanism has threadings, orequivalent mechanisms (quarter turn), the cartridge being capable ofbeing provided with a nozzle closed by a screwed cap.

Thus, to fill the fryer with oil, the user only needs to remove thescrewed cap that blocks the nozzle of the cartridge, and to screw thenozzle on the edge of the cutout of the bottom of the filtering vessel.When the user wishes to replace the oil, he performs the same operationsin reverse, with an obvious advantage as for the maintenance of the bowland regard for the environment. The used oil is no longer disposed of inthe sink; the used oil cartridge, which is closed by the cap of thenewly installed cartridge, can be placed in an appropriate waste area.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the fryer comprises a cover witha horizontal section having the same geometry as, and a slightly smallersize than that of the bowl, and which is adapted to rest on thefiltering vessel and to slide in the bowl, the temporary lockingmechanism of the filtering vessel in low position acting by temporarilylocking said cover at a predetermined sliding depth in the bowl.

It is understood that this cover thus has the double function oflimiting/preventing the release of frying vapors in the atmosphere andof ensuring the locking of the filtering vessel, therefore of the frybasket, in low position.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover of the fryer comprises an outerwall having at least one vent, on the one hand, and a detachable innerwall, mostly bored and adapted to serve as a seat for a piece offiltering material housed within the cover, on the other hand. Thispiece of material, which can be made of absorbent cloth or absorbentpaper, retains the oil micro-droplets driven by the water vapor that isreleased from the food during the frying, which micro-droplets areresponsible for the frying smells.

Advantageously, to facilitate the drainage of the fry basket, fried foodand filtering vessel, the fryer according to the invention comprises adraining mechanism, such as ultrasonic device which acts on the wall ofthe bowl, or a centrifugal device, and which are activated when thefiltering vessel passes or has passed from low position to highposition, after a frying operation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the fryer according to theinvention, the ratio between the volume defined by the bowl up to themaximum oil filling level and the useful volume of the basket is atleast equal to 5. By useful volume is meant the normal loading volume ofthe basket with food, for example, frozen fries.

Indeed, such a ratio is indispensable for a quasi-instantaneous grip ofthe food, which prevents an excessive penetration of oil into the food.In the commercially available household fryers, this ratio is, in thebest case, equal to 1. As a result, when the basket, fully loaded withfrozen fries, for example, is immersed in the oil that has been heatedat the frying temperature, this temperature drops suddenly, which hasthe annoying consequence of causing the fries to absorb a greaterquantity of oil than normal. The ratio recommended by the inventioneliminates this disadvantage.

The invention still further provides for a fryer for frying food havinga removable oil containing cartridge wherein the fryer includes a frybasket adapted to receive the food to be fried, a vessel adapted toreceive the fry basket, a bowl adapted to receive the vessel and theremovable oil containing cartridge, at least one of the fry basket andthe vessel being adapted to move between a first position and a secondposition, the first position being characterized by movement of the oilfrom the removable oil containing cartridge and into the fry basket andthe second position being characterized by movement of the oil from thefry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge, and at least oneof a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removable oil containingcartridge, the removable oil containing cartridge having a bellowsshape, and the removable oil containing cartridge being removablyconnected the vessel.

The removable oil containing cartridge may comprise a biasing mechanismarranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge. The removableoil containing cartridge may comprise a bellows shape. The removable oilcontaining cartridge may be removably connected to the vessel. Theremovable oil containing cartridge may comprise a biasing mechanismarranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge, wherein theremovable oil containing cartridge comprises a bellows shape, andwherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removably connected tothe vessel. The fryer may further comprise at least one filter adaptedto be disposed inside the bowl. The fryer may further comprise aretaining mechanism retaining one of the fry basket and the vessel inthe second position.

The fryer may further comprise a sealing mechanism at least one ofdisposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of the frybasket, arranged between the bowl and the vessel, mounted to an insidesurface of the bowl, engaging each of the bowl and the vessel, providingsealing between the bowl and the vessel, and preventing oil in the bowlfrom moving upwards and past the sealing mechanism into a space betweenthe vessel and the bowl.

The vessel may comprise a filtering vessel. A filter may be disposedbetween a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of the filtering vessel.The removable oil containing cartridge may comprise an opening adaptedto be removably connected to a threaded nozzle of the vessel.

The invention also provides for a removable oil containing fryercartridge for a fryer having a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, thefryer cartridge comprising an enclosure adapted to contain oil, abiasing mechanism arranged within the enclosure, and the enclosurecomprising an opening adapted to be removably connected to the vessel.

The biasing mechanism may comprise a spring. The removable oilcontaining cartridge may comprise a bellows shape. The removable oilcontaining cartridge may be removably connected to the vessel via athreaded nozzle and a threaded connection piece. The biasing mechanismmay comprise a spring, the enclosure may comprise a bellows shape, andthe enclosure may be removably connected to the vessel via a threadedconnection.

The invention still further comprises a combination of a fryer and aremovable oil containing fryer cartridge for the fryer wherein the fryercomprises a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl, and the fryer cartridgecomprises an enclosure adapted to contain oil, a biasing mechanismarranged within the enclosure, and the enclosure comprising an openingadapted to be removably connected to the vessel.

The fryer may further comprise at least one filter adapted to bedisposed inside the bowl. The fryer may further comprise a retainingmechanism retaining one of the fry basket and the vessel in a downwardlyposition. The fryer may further comprise a sealing mechanism at leastone of disposed in an area between a side of the bowl and a side of thefry basket, arranged between the bowl and the vessel, mounted to aninside surface of the bowl, engaging each of the bowl and the vessel,providing sealing between the bowl and the vessel, and preventing oil inthe bowl from moving upwards and past the sealing mechanism into a spacebetween the vessel and the bowl. The vessel may comprise a filteringvessel. A filter may be disposed between a bottom of the fry basket anda bottom of the filtering vessel. At least one of the fry basket and thevessel may be adapted to move between a first position and a secondposition and wherein the first position is characterized by movement ofthe oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the frybasket and the second position is characterized by movement of the oilfrom the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantageous characteristics and details of the invention willbecome apparent from the description that follows, with reference to theannexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical schematic cross-section of a first embodiment ofthe fryer according to the invention in the resting position (i.e. withthe frying bowl in high position);

FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 1, but with the fryer in thefrying position (i.e., with the frying bowl in low position);

FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale the zone demarcated by a circle in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 shows a vertical schematic cross-section of a second embodimentof the invention, with the fry basket in high position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the fry basket in lowposition;

FIG. 6 is a detail on a larger scale of the zone demarcated by a circlein Figure 4;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a variation of FIG. 5 showing the use of anoil cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one sees that the fryer according to theinvention comprises a bowl 1 containing a filtering vessel 3, whichitself contains a fry basket 4. In the following description, one willconsider that the bowl 1, the vessel 3 and the basket 4 have ahorizontal circular section, but this section can have another shape,for example, rectangular. The bowl 1 is included in a covering notshown.

The bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 rests on a spring 8 which takessupport on the bottom of the bowl 1 and on bottom 9, and which biasesthe filtering vessel 3 upwardly.

The bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 includes an annular zone 5demarcating a central cutout 6, and it supports a removable filteringdisk, which is itself constituted of a fine-mesh metallic netting 10surrounded with a solid edge 7. Alternatively, the netting could be madeof a flying temperature resistant plastic material. By fine meshes ismeant meshes whose opening is micrometric.

The upper end of the lateral wall of the vessel 3 has a flange 11 (FIG.3) offering a shoulder 11′ on which lugs 12, attached to the basket 4,rest.

A cover 13 constituted of an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15 alsorests on this flange 11. The inner wall 15, which can be easily detachedby the user, is constituted of an annular plate in which a micrometricmetallic netting 15′ is crimped. The inner wall 15 of the cover 13serves as a seat for a disk 16 made of absorbent material, such as ahousehold absorbent paper, for example.

The outer wall 14 of the cover has vents 17, and it serves as a supportfor a timer mechanism 18 housed for the most part within the cover 13.This mechanism 18 comprises an index 19 that can be accessed from theoutside of the cover 13 and is rotatably mounted against the force of aspiral spring included in a box, schematically represented by thereference numeral 20, containing conventional clock parts. From this box20 emerges an axle 21 driven rotationally by the timer mechanism 18, andon which is blocked a piece 22 in the periphery of which a cam surface23 is cut out. This cam surface roughly assumes the shape of a FIG. 8laid horizontally, i.e., it comprises two substantially circular convexportions joined by two small concave zones forming a necking.

The axle 21 and the piece 22 are included in a housing 24 in the lowerwall of which the axle 21 rotates. The lateral wall of the housing 24has two diametrically opposed openings for the passage of two rods 25which each comprise a proximal end 26 supported against the cam surface23 and a distal end 27. FIG. 1 shows the rods 25 in support on theconcave zones of the cam surface 23, whereas FIG. 2 shows them insupport on the convex portions of the surface 23. The distal end 27 ofeach of the rods 25 is received in a guiding sleeve 37 that communicateswith an opening 36 made in the lateral wall of the cover 13.

On each rod 25, in the vicinity of its proximal end 26, an abutment 28is provided, on which is supported one of the ends of a return spring29, the other end of which takes support on the inner wall of thehousing 24, the springs 29 maintaining the proximal end 26 of the rods25 in contact with the cam surface 23.

The inner wall of the bowl 1 comprises a first peripheral groove 30adapted to receive the distal end of the rods 25, and a secondperipheral groove in which an o-ring 31 is housed, slightly below thegroove 30. More specifically, the distance d1 (FIG. 3) between the planeof the groove 30 and that of the o-ring 31 is equal to the distance d2(FIG. 1) between the plane of the rods 25 and that of the projectionformed by the flange 11 (FIG. 3).

The free edge 1 of the bowl 1′ has two roughly square-shaped,diametrically opposed returns 32 which affect only a small portion ofthe periphery of the bowl 1 and which project above said free edge 1′.The height h (FIG. 2) between the free edge 1′ of the bowl and the innersurface of the returns 32, in a horizontal plane, is sufficient toenable the translational positioning of the cover 13 on the flange 11 ofthe filtering vessel 3.

The bowl 1 rests on a base 33 containing a known thermostat-controlledelectric heating mechanism, which can be activated by a switch 34. Anindicator light 35 signals that oil has reached the desired temperature.

The fry basket 4 and the filtering basket 3 includes a grippingmechanism, not shown, in order not to clutter the Figures.

The functioning of the fryer according to the invention and itsoperating mode will now be described.

Since the bowl 1 only contains the spring 8, the user fills the bowl 1with oil up to the maximum level as referenced by Max. The user thenintroduces the filtering vessel 3 into the bowl 1, then the basket 4loaded, for example, with frozen fries, in the vessel 3, and finally thecover 13 beneath the returns 32 by placing it on the flange 11 of thefiltering vessel 3. The loaded fryer then has the configuration shown inFIG. 1. In particular, the springs 8 and 29 are expanded, the rods 25are in the retracted position, and the fry basket 4 is not in contactwith the oil reserve.

With the fryer plugged into an electric source, the user turns on theswitch 34 and waits for the indicator light 35 to be lit. A force isthen exerted on the cover 13, against the spring 8, which results inprogressively immersing the filtering vessel 3, and therefore the frybasket 4, into the hot oil. This force continues until the flanges 11abut on the o-ring 31, which signals to the user that the distal ends 27of the rods 25 are disposed adjacent the groove 30. The user thenrotates the index 19 until reaching a reference mark corresponding tothe start of cooking, which consequently sets the timer, on the onehand, and causes the piece 22 to rotate such that the cam surfaceportions offered to the proximal ends 26 of the rods 25 are thesubstantially circular convex portions. As a result, the rods 25 areprojected or caused to move outwardly against the force of the returnsprings 29, and their distal ends 27 engage with the groove 30 bylocking the cover 13 at this level of penetration into the bowl 1. Thefryer then has the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

During the frying operation, the food releases water vapor charged withoil micro-droplets, which can escape only through the cover 13, this isbecause the o-ring 31 ensures that the peripheral sealing of the coveris maintained. More specifically, the frying vapors flow through thenetting 15 of the cover 13, then the layer of absorbent materials 16before escaping through the vents 17. The oil micro-droplets areretained upon passing by the absorbent material 16, such that,substantially, only the odorless water vapor is released into theatmosphere.

The count-down carried out by the timer continues and, as long as therotating piece 22 offers a support to the proximal portions 26 of therods 25 on the circular convex zones of the cam surface 23, the rods 25are maintained in the projected position, i.e., engaging groove 30. Thetime has elapsed when the piece 22 offers a support to the proximal ends26 of the rods 25 on the neckings of the cam surface 23. Then, under theeffect of the return springs 29, the support is maintained, resulting inthe backward movement of the rods 25 that disengage from the groove 30.

The filtering vessel 3, the fry basket 3, and the cover 13 which itsupports are pushed back upward under the effect of the spring 8. Thevolume demarcated by the bottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3 and thelower portion of the bowl 1 increases, resulting in a suction effectexerted, through the cutout 6, on the oil that is located above thebottom 9. This oil can reach the lower portion of the bowl 1 (i.e., theportion of the bowl located beneath the vessel 3, in high position ofthe latter) only by passing through the netting 10 such that it clearsit of any debris which it contains. Therefore, the oil that reachesbeyond the cutout 6 is filtered out.

The filtering of the oil through the netting 10 slows the rise of thevarious elements 3, 4, 13, such that they do not risk “jumping” out ofthe bowl 1. In any event, the provision of the returns 32 prevents suchincident from occurring.

When the frying operation is completed, the fryer has returned to theconfiguration of FIG. 1. A vibrating mechanism can be provided in thecovering, not shown, of the bowl 1, which can then be activated toperfect the draining of the fried food. This treatment also makes itpossible to accelerate the return, toward the lower portion of the bowl1, of the residual oil that is present on the walls of the upper portionof the bowl 1, on the filtering vessel 3, and on the fry basket 4.

If one respects a ratio, with a minimum equal to 5, between the volumeof oil and the useful volume of the basket, for example, if a minimumvolume of 1,250 ml of oil is used for a part of 250 g of frozen fries,the cooking time will be 1 to 2 minutes. Furthermore, the capacity ofthe basket 4 is preferably limited such that it is not possible to placemore than 250 g of fries therein.

To unload the basket 4, the user slides the cover 13 translationally torelease it from the returns 32, then he extracts the fry basket 4 fromthe bowl 1.

Next, he then extracts the filtering vessel 3 which, at this point, iscompletely drained, and thereafter he removes the debris retained on thenetting 10 by turning the vessel 3 over and shaking the disk 10. The frybasket 4, the filtering vessel 3 and the disk 10 can be washed in thedishwasher. The same is true for the inner wall 15 of the cover 13 thatcan be detached for cleaning, and for replacing the absorbent material16.

Between two periods of usage, the free surface of the oil reserve is notvery exposed to the air due to the presence of the annular zone 5 of thebottom 9 of the filtering vessel 3, which contributes to a goodpreservation thereof.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the elements that areidentical or very similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 1-3are designated by the same reference numerals followed by a prime sign.

Instead of a cover sliding in the bowl 1, the second embodimentcomprises a cover 100 pivotally mounted to the side covering 102 of thebowl 1′ by a hinge 101. This cover 100, observed hereinabove, has theshape of a frame adapted to receive a disposable filter 16′ that can betemporarily affixed to the cover 100.

Rather than being lowered under the effect of a vertical force exertedon the sliding cover as in the previous embodiment, the fry basket 4′and the filtering vessel 3′ are lowered under the effect of the movementof a lever 103 pivotally mounted at 104 on a portion 105 attached to theside covering 102 of the bowl 1′. More specifically, this lever 103 hasthe shape of a fork formed, on the side of the pivot 104, of two arms106, only one of which is visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, and of a tail 107 onthe other side of the pivot 104. The end of the arms 106 that isdistanced from the pivot 104 is articulated at 108 on a connecting rod109, which is itself articulated at 110 on the fry basket 4′. Therefore,the arms 106 are affixed to the basket 4 in two opposite zones on bothsides of the basket 4′. The tail 107, which can be constituted ofextensions attached to the arms 106, has its end distanced from thepivot 104 across from a finger 111 that is movable in a vertical planeand in support on an eccentric wheel 112 forming a cam, mounted on anaxis 113 on which is wedged a pinion 114 driven rotationally by a pinion115, itself wedged on an axis 116. The axis 116 is driven rotationallyby a mechanism forming the timer included in the button 117.

The axis 104 rests on a support (not shown) from which it can be easilyseparated, thus enabling the basket 4′ to be extracted from the bowl 1′.

As better seen in FIG. 6, the bowl 1′, which can be made of a buckledplate, has a larger section in the zone surrounding the fry basket 4′ inhigh position than in the zone located beneath this basket. Thevariation in the section creates a peripheral shoulder 118 that receivesthe o-ring 31′. A removable liner 119 rests on this o-ring 31′. Amechanism, not shown, is provided for easily extracting the liner 119from the bowl 1′.

The functioning of the fryer, in its second embodiment, is as follows:

The cover 100 can be opened, i.e., tilted toward the left (not shown)around the hinge 101. Then, with the spring 8′ disposed inside the bowl1′, the user fills the bowl 1′ with oil up to the maximum level. Theuser then introduces the filtering vessel 3′ into the bowl 1′, then thebasket 4′, then the axis 104 is replaced on its support. Next, the userloads the basket 4′, for example, with frozen fries, then he folds thecover 100 back toward the right around the hinge 101. The assembly isthen presented as shown in FIG. 4 (neither the fries nor the oil areshown in order not to clutter the drawing).

In particular, the spring 8′ is expanded, and the fry basket 4′ is notin contact with the oil reserve.

With the fryer plugged into an electric source, the user turns on theswitch 34′ and waits for the indicator light 35′ to come on. He thenrotates the button 117 over an angle referenced by a mark correspondingto standard cooking, or over a slightly smaller or larger angledepending upon whether he prefers faster or slower cooking. Thisrotation of the button 117 causes the rotation of the axis 116, pinions115 and 114, axis 113, and cam 112 that comes to lift the finger 111,which in turn lifts the tail 107 of the lever 103. The latter pivotsabout the axis 104 and causes a pushing of the basket 4′, andsubsequently the filtering vessel 3′, downwardly against the force ofthe spring 8′ that becomes compressed, which leads to progressivelyimmersing the basket 4′ in hot oil. The fryer then has the configurationshown in FIG. 5.

The timer mechanism included in the button 117 counts down the selectedcooking time, the gear ratio between the pinions 115 and 114 and thegeometry of the cam 112 being such that the finger 111 remains lifted(and therefore, the basket 4′ remains in low position) as long as thistime has not elapsed. Once the time has elapsed, the cam 112 enables thefinger 111 to be lowered, releasing the tail 107 of the lever 103. Underthe effect of the spring 8′, the filtering vessel 3′ and the basket 4′which it supports are pushed back upwardly. As in the case of the firstembodiment, the oil that is located above the bottom 9′ of the vessel 3′is drawn downwardly, and it can reach the lower portion of the bowl 1′only by passing through the netting 10′ which clears it of any possibledebris which it contains.

The water vapor charged with oil micro-droplets that is released duringthe frying operation can escape only by flowing through the filter 16′of the cover 100, the o-ring 31′ ensuring the peripheral sealing betweenthe vessel 3′ and the bowl 1′.

When the frying operation is completed, the fryer has returned to theconfiguration of FIG. 4.

To unload the fryer, the user tilts the cover 100 about the hinge 101′,then he extracts the drained fry basket 4′ from the bowl 1′ afterseparating the axis 104 from its support.

He can then extract from the bowl the liner 119 which thus protects thetop portion of bowl 1 from one frying operation to the next, on the onehand, and the filtering vessel 3′, on the other hand. He removes thedebris retained on the netting 10′ as before. The fry basket 4′, theliner 119, the filtering vessel 3 and the netting disk 10′ can be washedin the dishwasher. The absorbent material 16′ lining the cover 100 canbe replaced.

As to FIG. 7, it distinguishes over FIG. 5 only in that it shows the useof an oil spring cartridge. More specifically, the edge of the centralcutout of the bottom 9′ of the vessel 3′ has been provided with athreaded connection piece 120 matched to the threaded nozzle 121 of anenclosure 122 containing a spring 8″, and the wall 123 of which isadapted to fold in accordion.

Before use, the threaded nozzle 121 is closed by a screwed cap. Sincethe basket 4′ and the vessel 3′ have been extracted from the bowl 1′,the user opens the oil cartridge and screws its nozzle 121 on theconnection piece 120 of the vessel 3′. He then replaces, in the bowl 1′,the vessel 3′ thus equipped and the basket 4′ loaded with food to becooked, as before.

This embodiment functions exactly as the previous one, with theexception that instead of being contained directly in the bowl 1′, theoil is contained in the enclosure 122, which is itself housed in thebowl 1′.

When the basket 4 and the filtering vessel 3 are lowered, they compressthe spring 8″ contained in the enclosure 122 of the cartridge whose wall123 folds in accordion. The oil is expelled from the cartridge via itsnozzle 121 and the connecting piece 120 of the filtering vessel 3′. Theo-ring 31′ prevents the boiling oil from passing from the top of thevessel 3′ between the bowl 1′ and the outer wall 123 of the cartridge.

When the lever 103 is released and can pivot about the axis 104′, thespring 8″ expands, the wall 123 of the cartridge unfolds and the oilthat was outside of the cartridge is re-drawn by the connecting piece120 of the vessel 3′ and the nozzle 121 of the cartridge.

When the user wishes to replace the oil after a certain number of fryingoperations, he extracts the basket 4′ and the vessel 3′ from the bowl1′, unscrews the nozzle 121 from the connecting piece 120, blocks thisnozzle with the cap that he had kept or with the cap of a newlyinstalled cartridge, and disposes of the used oil cartridge.

Of course, it is understood that the invention is not limited to theembodiments described and shown.

In particular, the temporary locking mechanism could have anotherconfiguration than those described, and could be controlled bymechanisms other than a timer/cam surface assembly. Rather than usingconcurrently a filtering vessel 3 whose cutout 6 is completely open anda removable filtering disk such as 10 resting on the bottom of thevessel, one could use a vessel 3 whose cutout 6 would be directlyprovided with a fine-mesh netting. Instead of a spring 8, a metallicbellows could be used. It is possible that the fryer not be equippedwith electric heating mechanism, in which case the base 33 would bereplaced by a heating sole adapted to be placed on a heat source. Thesealternative embodiments are in no way limiting.

What is claimed:
 1. A fryer for frying food having a removable oilcontaining cartridge comprising: a fry basket adapted to receive thefood to be fried; a vessel adapted to receive the fry basket; a bowladapted to receive the vessel and the removable oil containingcartridge; at least one of the fry basket and the vessel being adaptedto move between a first position and a second position; the firstposition being characterized by movement of the oil from the removableoil containing cartridge and into the fry basket and the second positionbeing characterized by movement of the oil from the fry basket into theremovable oil containing cartridge; and at least one of: a biasingmechanism arranged inside the removable oil containing cartridge; theremovable oil containing cartridge having a bellows shape; and theremovable oil containing cartridge being removably connected to thevessel.
 2. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oil containingcartridge comprises a biasing mechanism arranged inside the removableoil containing cartridge.
 3. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removableoil containing cartridge comprises a bellows shape.
 4. The fryer ofclaim 1, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removablyconnected to the vessel.
 5. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removableoil containing cartridge comprises a biasing mechanism arranged insidethe removable oil containing cartridge, wherein the removable oilcontaining cartridge comprises a bellows shape, and wherein theremovable oil containing cartridge is removably connected to the vessel.6. The fryer of claim 1, further comprising at least one filter adaptedto be disposed inside the bowl.
 7. The fryer of claim 1, furthercomprising a retaining mechanism retaining one of the fry basket and thevessel in the second position.
 8. The fryer of claim 1, furthercomprising a sealing mechanism at least one of: disposed in an areabetween a side of the bowl and a side of the fry basket; arrangedbetween the bowl and the vessel; mounted to an inside surface of thebowl; engaging each of the bowl and the vessel; providing sealingbetween the bowl and the vessel; and preventing oil in the bowl frommoving upwardly and past the sealing mechanism into a space between thevessel and the bowl.
 9. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the vesselcomprises a filtering vessel.
 10. The fryer of claim 9, wherein a filteris disposed between a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of thefiltering vessel.
 11. The fryer of claim 1, wherein the removable oilcontaining cartridge comprises an opening adapted to be removablyconnected to a threaded nozzle of the vessel.
 12. A removable oilcontaining fryer cartridge for a fryer having a vessel, a fry basket anda bowl, the fryer cartridge comprising: an enclosure adapted to containoil; a biasing mechanism arranged within the enclosure; and theenclosure comprising an opening adapted to be removably connected to thevessel, wherein the enclosure is configured to be disposed in the bowland below the fry basket and the vessel.
 13. The fryer cartridge ofclaim 12, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a spring.
 14. Thefryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the removable oil containingcartridge comprises a bellows shape.
 15. The fryer cartridge of claim12, wherein the removable oil containing cartridge is removablyconnected to the vessel via a threaded nozzle and a threaded connectionpiece.
 16. The fryer cartridge of claim 12, wherein the biasingmechanism comprises a spring, wherein the enclosure comprises a bellowsshape, and wherein the enclosure is removably connected to the vesselvia a threaded connection.
 17. A combination of a fryer and a removableoil containing fryer cartridge for the fryer wherein: the fryercomprises a vessel, a fry basket and a bowl; and the fryer cartridgecomprises an enclosure adapted to contain oil, a biasing mechanismarranged within the enclosure, and the enclosure comprising an openingadapted to be removably connected to the vessel.
 18. The combination ofclaim 17, wherein the fryer further comprises at least one filteradapted to be disposed inside the bowl.
 19. The combination of claim 17,wherein the fryer further comprises a retaining mechanism retaining oneof the fry basket and the vessel in a downwardly position.
 20. Thecombination of claim 17, wherein the fryer further comprises a sealingmechanism at least one of: disposed in an area between a side of thebowl and a side of the fry basket; arranged between the bowl and thevessel; mounted to an inside surface of the bowl; engaging each of thebowl and the vessel; providing sealing between the bowl and the vessel;and preventing oil in the bowl from moving upwardly and past the sealingmechanism into a space between the vessel and the bowl.
 21. Thecombination of claim 17, wherein the vessel comprises a filteringvessel.
 22. The combination of claim 21, wherein a filter is disposedbetween a bottom of the fry basket and a bottom of the filtering vessel.23. The combination of claim 17, wherein at least one of the fry basketand the vessel is adapted to move between a first position and a secondposition and wherein the first position is characterized by movement ofthe oil from the removable oil containing cartridge and into the frybasket and the second position is characterized by movement of the oilfrom the fry basket into the removable oil containing cartridge.
 24. Aremovable oil containing fryer cartridge for a fryer having a vessel, afry basket and a bowl, the fryer cartridge comprising: an enclosureadapted to contain oil; and the enclosure comprising at least one of abellows shape and an opening adapted to be removably connected to thevessel, wherein the enclosure is configured to be disposed in the bowland below the fry basket and the vessel when the vessel and fry basketare arranged in the bowl.